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The Thar Desert by Odessa

It perhaps is the most inhospitable place on Earth...

This powerpoint will cover different aspects of the desert in different parts of the desert.

Feel free to drop notes!

Starting off...

Also known as the Great Indian Desert

Area: 200,000km2

9th largest subtropical forest

Some facts about the Thar desert.

Banjara tribe inhabiting the desert

Nomads travelling on camels

See Geological Features!

Map

Lies mostly in the Indian State of Rajasthan

Extend into southeastern and eastern Pakistan

Where is it located?

MapRight: desert area coded in redTop right: location of Rajasthan in India

Geological Features

Harsh physical geography + fragile ecology

Strong winds, shifting sand dunes

Deep, saline water = difficult to sustain human habitation

Wind + sandstorms!!

*Sand dunes: a hill of sand*Dune fields: area of extensive dunes*Erg: large dune fields

Let’s select a part of the desert - perhaps Western Marwa from SE India?

A sand dune in the Thar

Am I patronizing you? Temp. atands for temperature!

Climate

Tropical, sub-tropical climate

80% rainfall in July – Sept (monsoon season)Average annual rainfall: 300-650mmDaily summer temp. maxima: 45ºC

Let‘s say, the East of the desert?

Summer: May – June (hottest)

Temp: 45ºC

Winter: December (coldest)

Temp: 1ºC

Vast biodiversity... Only that I can‘t fit everything into 1 slide!

BiodiversityWhich animals and plants inhabit the desert?

23 species of lizards, 25 species of snakes

Indian Gazelle 141 species of migratory

birdsGreat Indian BustardGreat Indian Bustard

Fig 1 Fig 2

Ziziphus nummularia (Fig 1)

Grewia populifolia (Fig 2)

The Banjara People

The Gypsies of India

Who has the guts to live in such a place??

Nomads who live in Rajasthan Sometimes known as the Gypsies of India Over half speak „Lambadi“ – Rahasthani

dialect Banjara = forest wanderers

The Golden City at the heart of the Thar Desert – Jaisalmer!

Landforms

Jaisalmer – a.k.a The Golden City

Town stands on a ridge of yellowish sandstone

The Heart of the Thar Desert - Jaisalmer...

(Right) Amar Sager &Gadsisar Lake – once main water source of Jaisalmer

(Consists of a palace & temples!)

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THE ENDHope the lesson’s been at least half as good as yours!